Thread-reinforced joint device and coupling device for a vehicle drive

ABSTRACT

A thread-reinforced joint device for a coupling device of a vehicle drive, particularly of a low-platform vehicle, includes a plurality of coupling elements, at least one thread packet coupling two adjacent coupling elements so that a force is transmittable, a support device arranged on at least one of the coupling elements for axially guiding the at least one thread packet and at least one elastic body, into which, the at least one thread packet and the coupling elements are at least partially embedded. The coupling elements are designed and/or can be positioned so that the thread-reinforced joint device is adaptable to different mounting interfaces of a respective coupling device.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Stage of International ApplicationNo. PCT/EP2015/071057, filed Sep. 15, 2015, which designated the UnitedStates and has been published as International Publication No. WO2016/046020 A1, which claims the priority of German Patent Application,Serial No. 10 2014 014 493.3, filed Sep. 25, 2014, pursuant to 35 U.S.C.119(a)-(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a thread-reinforced joint device and acoupling device for a vehicle drive, in particular for the drive of alow-platform vehicle.

Low-platform vehicles should generally be understood to be vehicles withlow-lying floors in the interior. Such floors should primarily serve toenable barrier-free utilization of the interior of the low-platformvehicle, i.e. barrier-free boarding and alighting of passengers. Withlow-platform vehicles, the interior platforms, i.e. the interior floors,lie below the top edge of the wheels. In the case of rail vehicles, theheight of the floor in the interior can be even lower and, for example,be only slightly higher than half the diameter of the wheel. In the caseof street cars, the floor height can even be significantly lower thanhalf the diameter of the wheel.

Known from the prior art are coupling devices as claimed in document DE196 39 304 A1. This document discloses an elastic joint coupling with anintermediate ring arranged between two coupling flanges made up ofsingle metal elements distributed around the circumference andvulcanized into rubber blocks. The metal elements are screwedalternately to the coupling flanges. In the circumferential direction,the metal elements of the intermediate ring are evenly distributedwedges extending in the radial direction across the entire ring width.The rubber blocks are vulcanized between the wedges and held undercompressive prestress in the circumferential direction when installed.

This joint coupling known from the prior art is relatively complicatedto assemble since the rubber blocks have to be radially prestressed inorder to be able to establish compressive prestress of the rubber blocksin the circumferential direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a thread-reinforcedjoint device and a coupling device that is low-maintenance and simple toassemble and acoustic decoupling of the units to be connected.

According to one aspect of the invention, the object is achieved with athread-reinforced joint device for a coupling device of a vehicle drive,in particular a low-platform vehicle, including a plurality of couplingelements and at least one thread packet. The at least one thread packetcouples adjacent coupling elements such that force may be transmitted. Asupport device arranged on at least one coupling element arranged guidesthe at least one thread packet axially. The at least one thread packet,the coupling elements and the support device are at least partiallyembedded in at least one elastic body. The coupling elements aredesigned and/or can be positioned such that the thread-reinforced jointdevice is adaptable to different mounting interfaces of a couplingdevice.

Further embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the attacheddependent claims.

The thread-reinforced joint devices according to the inventionfacilitate simplified assembly. It is no longer necessary, as in theprior art, for the rubber blocks to be assembled in the circumferentialdirection under compressive prestress or radially prestressed. Thisgreatly simplifies and expedites assembly. Moreover, thethread-reinforced joint device requires lower assembly forces. Onereason for this is that, unlike the prior art, at the time of assembly,the thread-reinforced joint device does not have to take account of andcompensate any incompletely established relaxation of the rubber blocks.

Since the joint devices according to the invention arethread-reinforced, they have a higher power density compared to theprior art. The thread reinforcement of the joint devices results inincreased tensile strength so that, with the same strength rating, muchless installation space is required for the thread-reinforced jointdevice and hence a coupling device overall.

The design and/or positioning of its coupling elements enables thethread-reinforced joint devices according to the invention to be adaptedto different mounting interfaces of a coupling device. In this context,mounting interfaces can be understood to be predetermined hole patterns,predetermined screw patterns, predetermined hole-circle diameters fordrive and output or predetermined types of mounting and mountingpositions.

The at least one thread packet can consist of individual threads or aplurality of individual threads wound in a clip shape. A thread packetcan encircle a driven and an output coupling element and in this waytransmit forces and also torques between these two coupling elements.The coupling elements can, for example, be cylinder bushings or similarelements. The coupling elements can in turn be connected, for example,by bolts, screws or similar connecting elements, to a flange or alsodirectly to a wheel of a vehicle.

In addition to the absorption of tensile forces, the at least oneelastic body is in particular also used to absorb compressive forces,which may occur during the operation of the thread-reinforced jointdevice during force or torque transmission. The thread reinforcement bythe at least one thread packet limits the tensile stresses in the atleast one elastic body. This further reduces the relaxation phenomena inthe at least one elastic body. The at least one elastic body can, forexample, be made of an elastomer, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polymeror rubber.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one couplingelement can comprise a screw-thread. The screw-thread can be an internalscrew-thread. The thread-reinforced joint device can be screwed directlyto a flange of a coupling device or the like since the connecting screwscan be screwed directly and immediately into the at least one couplingelement of the thread-reinforced joint device. This, for example,enables a lock nut to be dispensed with thus saving installation space.Moreover, the thread-reinforced joint device with the at least onecoupling element comprising a screw-thread can be screwed toprefabricated or predetermined mounting flanges without the mountinginterface on the flange having to be changed or adapted.

The at least one coupling element can comprise a segment with at leastone predetermined screw head. If the at least one coupling elementcomprises a screw-thread, under certain circumstances, when screwing ascrew into the coupling element, it can be necessary to counterhold thecoupling element. For example, it is necessary to prevent a torque beingtransferred to the thread-reinforced joint device or to the at least oneelastic body or the thread packet during the screwing process. For thisreason, it is possible for a screw head to be provided on the at leastone coupling element for counterholding. The predetermined screw headcan, for example, be a hexagon. It is also conceivable for individualcoupling elements to be connected to one another so as to be mutuallysupportive during the screwing process. For example, the couplingelements can be connected to one another by a plate or the like. Theplate can be designed to prevent co-rotation of coupling elements duringthe screwing process.

The at least one coupling element can comprise a segment functioning asa shoulder element. This segment is used to secure the thread packet onthe coupling element. The segment functioning as a shoulder element caninteract with a shoulder element which is connected to the couplingelement after the attachment of the thread packet. The shoulder elementcan be provided on an axial end of the coupling element opposite to thesegment serving as a shoulder element.

According to one embodiment, the at least one coupling element isreceived in a bushing.

At least one first group of coupling elements can be arranged on a firstradius. At least one second group of coupling elements can be arrangedon a second radius. In this case, the first radius can differ from thesecond radius. According to this embodiment, the thread-reinforced jointdevice can be adapted to different mounting hole circles. For example, aflange with a first hole circle and a flange with a second hole circlecan be coupled to one another by means of the thread-reinforced jointdevice. In other words, the first radius can be assigned to a flange,for example the drive flange, and the second radius, for example theoutput flange. However, it is also conceivable for driven and outputcoupling elements to be provided on both the first radius and the secondradius. This enables, for example, two radial mounting circles andtorque transmission chains offset with respect to one another to beprovided.

According to one embodiment, the coupling elements of the first groupand the coupling elements of the second group can be arrangedalternately in the circumferential direction of the thread-reinforcedjoint device.

Moreover, the coupling elements of the first group and the couplingelements of the second group can be in alignment in the radialdirection.

A coupling element of the first group and a coupling element of thesecond group can be connected to one another by at least one threadpacket.

According to one development of the invention, the coupling elements ofthe first group can be coupled to one another by a first group of threadpackets and the coupling elements of a second group can be coupled toone another by a second group of thread packets. Both the couplingelement on the first radius and the coupling elements on the secondradius can be connected alternately to a driven flange and an outputflange.

According to one embodiment, the thread-reinforced joint device cancomprise a plurality of elastic bodies, i.e. the thread-reinforced jointdevice can be modular or in several parts. The elastic bodies orcoupling elements can each comprise at least one thread packet. Withthis embodiment, the thread-reinforced joint device is made up of aplurality of separate elastic bodies or coupling elements, which can becoupled to one another. In other words, a plurality of elastic bodiescan be connected to one another in order to form the thread-reinforcedjoint device and to be able to transmit torques. The threadreinforcement limits the tensile stresses in the at least one elasticbody. This further reduces the relaxation phenomena in the at least oneelastic body.

Moreover, the thread-reinforced joint device can comprise a plurality ofclip-shaped thread packets. In this case, the clip-shaped thread packetscan be arranged in a ring shape and each connected to one another by atleast one coupling element. A coupling element can, for example, beencircled by two clip-shaped thread packets, wherein in each case one ofthe thread packets is subjected to tensile stress and the other tocompressive stress.

According to one aspect of the invention, the object is achieved with acoupling device for a vehicle drive, in particular for the drive of alow-platform vehicle, including at least one first flange, which can becoupled to a gear unit, at least one second flange, which is coupled tothe at least one first flange and at least one third flange, which isconnected to the at least one second flange by least one shaft segmentand which can be coupled to at least one wheel of the vehicle to bedriven. The at least one shaft segment extends through the at least onefirst flange. The at least one first flange and the at least one secondflange are coupled by at least one first thread-reinforced joint deviceand at least one second thread-reinforced joint device is arranged onthe at least one third flange.

According to one embodiment, the at least one shaft segment can be ahollow-shaft segment.

According to one embodiment, the at least one first flange can comprisean aperture. The at least one shaft segment can extend through theaperture of the at least one first flange.

The at least one shaft segment can comprise a gear tooth system, whichengages in a corresponding gear tooth system on the at least one secondflange. A torque can be transmitted from the at least one second flangeto the at least one shaft segment by the gear tooth system between theat least one shaft segment and the at least one second flange.

According to one development, the at least one third flange can beformed in one piece with the at least one shaft segment.

The at least one first and the at least one second thread-reinforcedjoint device can, for example, be embodied in the form of an elasticflexible disk. A flexible disk of this kind can comprise a plurality ofcoupling elements arranged in the circumferential direction atpredetermined angular distances with respect to a center axis of thejoint device, a plurality of thread packets, wherein each thread packetis in each case encircled two adjacent coupling elements and eachcoupling element is encircled by at least two thread packets, a supportdevice arranged on at least one of the coupling elements for the purposeof axially guiding the plurality of thread packets, and an elasticsheathing in which the thread packets, the support devices and thecoupling elements are at least partially embedded. The support devicecan at comprise least two shoulder elements embodied separately from oneanother and which can be attached to one of the coupling elements.

Moreover, the at least one first and the at least one second jointdevice can be formed from a plurality of coupling elements coupled toone another. The coupling elements can be clip-shaped. Each couplingelement comprises an elastic body in which the at least one threadpacket encircling at least two coupling elements is embedded.

The coupling devices according to the invention can be used in vehicles,in particular in low-platform vehicles, with wheel sets and idler gears.In the case of a vehicle with wheel sets, one coupling per wheel set isprovided on only one vehicle side, since a wheel-set shaft transmits thetorque to the other vehicle side.

The present invention further relates to a drive arrangement for avehicle, in particular a low-platform vehicle. The drive arrangementcomprises at least one motor, which is coupled to at least one gearunit. The at least one gear unit is assigned to at least one vehiclewheel to be driven. At least one coupling device of the type describedabove is arranged between the at least one gear unit and the at leastone vehicle wheel.

Hence, the coupling device of the type described above connects the gearunit to the vehicle wheel to be driven. The coupling device serves interalia to compensate relative movements that could occur between the motormounted on a vehicle frame or, in the case of a rail vehicle, on a bogiewith the gear unit and the wheel of the vehicle to be driven. In orderto be able to reduce the unsprung masses on the wheel of the vehicle,the motor and the gear unit are attached or mounted elastically on avehicle frame or a bogie. This elastic mounting of the motor and thegear unit can result in the aforementioned relative movements betweenthe vehicle wheel and the motor, which can be compensated by thecoupling device or the thread-reinforced joint devices thereof.

The second thread-reinforced joint device can be attached directly tothe vehicle wheel. Moreover, it is also possible for a segment of theaxle to be provided which can be used to connect the vehicle wheel tothe second thread-reinforced coupling. Corresponding apertures areformed on the wheel or on the axle segment which are used for screwingthe second thread-reinforced joint device to the wheel or to the axlesegment.

According to one development of the invention, the at least one vehiclewheel can be coupled to the at least one second thread-reinforced jointdevice of the coupling device. It is moreover possible according to theinvention for the at least one second joint device to be coupled to anaxle of the vehicle wheel to be driven.

The at least one first flange of the coupling device can comprise atleast one gear tooth system. The at least one gear tooth system of thefirst flange can be coupled to at least one gear tooth system on a shaftsegment of the at least one gear unit.

The present invention further relates to a low-platform vehicle with atleast one drive arrangement of the type described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following describes an exemplary embodiment of the present inventionwith reference to the attached figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a drive arrangement according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the drive arrangement according to theembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the drive arrangement;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a coupling device according to theinvention;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the coupling device according to theinvention;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a thread-reinforced joint deviceaccording to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a further perspective view of the thread-reinforced jointdevice according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a front view of the thread-reinforced joint deviceaccording to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection IX-IX inFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a front view of the thread-reinforced joint deviceaccording to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XI-XI inFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a basic body of thethread-reinforced joint device according to the first embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 13 shows a front view of the basic body of the thread-reinforcedjoint device in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XIV-XIV inFIG. 13;

FIG. 15 shows the perspective view in FIG. 1 with housings arranged onthe gear units;

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a thread-reinforced joint deviceaccording to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 shows a top view of the thread-reinforced joint device accordingto the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 shows a sectional view along the line of intersectionXVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of a coupling device with athread-reinforced joint device according to the second embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 20 shows a top view of the coupling device in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XXI-XXI inFIG. 20;

FIG. 22 shows a coupling device with a thread-reinforced joint deviceaccording to the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 23 shows a top view of the coupling device in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XXIV-XXIVin FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of a thread-reinforced joint deviceaccording to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 26 shows a top view of the thread-reinforced joint device accordingto the third embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 27 shows a sectional view along the line of intersectionXXVII-XXVII in FIG. 26.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a part of a chassis 100 of a railvehicle. The chassis can for example be a bogie of a rail vehicle. Fourdrive arrangements 10 are arranged on the bogie 100.

Each drive arrangement 10 is assigned to a rail vehicle wheel 12 andcomprises a motor 14, a gear unit 16 and a coupling device 18. Thecoupling device 18 is connected to the rail vehicle wheel 12. Thecoupling device 18 is arranged on the side 20 of the rail vehicle wheelfacing away from the chassis 100. The coupling device 18 is directlyconnected to the rail vehicle wheel 12. The coupling device 18 isprovided between the gear unit 16 and the rail vehicle wheel 12 andhence arranged on the output side. In this case, both the motor 14 andthe gear unit 16 are sprung. Consequently, both contribute to the sprungmass. Such a case is also called a fully sprung system.

The motors 14 are attached to the chassis 100 by connecting elements102. The rail vehicle wheels 12 are connected to cross members 104 andlongitudinal members 106 of the chassis 100. The drive arrangements 10are arranged outside a region BS of the chassis 100 enclosed between therail vehicle wheels 12. The region BS is defined by the cross members104 and the longitudinal members 106 of the chassis 100. Segments of thecross members 104 and the longitudinal members 106 extend partiallybelow the axles of the wheels 12. This is characteristic of low-platformvehicles. This enables the interior vehicle floors to be arranged belowthe wheel axles or in the region of the wheel axles.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the bogie or chassis 100 with the drivearrangements 10 arranged thereupon. The drive arrangements 10 eachcomprise a motor 14, a gear unit 16 and the coupling device 18. Thedrive arrangements 10 are provided outside the region BS defined by themembers 104 and 106 on the outer side 20 of the rail vehicle wheels 12.

The gear unit 16 can, for example, be a bevel gear in which a driveshaft 22 comprises a pinion 24 which drives a ring gear 26. The axis AIof the shaft 22 and the axis A2 of the ring gear 24 extend perpendicularto one another, i.e. the axes AI and A2 intersect. The axis A2 conformswith the axis A3 of the coupling device 18 or the rail vehicle wheel 12.Correspondingly, the axis A3 of the coupling device 18 and the axis AIof shaft 22 of the gear unit 16 also intersect.

The axis AI extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the chassis100. The axis A3 of the coupling device 18 extends transverse to thelongitudinal axis L of the chassis 100.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the drive arrangement 10 in which it ispossible to identify the gear unit 16, the coupling device 18 and therail vehicle wheel 12 with its axle 28.

The ring gear 26 of the gear unit 16 is non-rotatably connected to ahollow-shaft segment 30. The shaft segment 30 comprises a gear toothsystem 32. The gear tooth system 32 is in engagement with acorresponding gear tooth system 34 of the first flange 36. A secondflange 38 comprises a gear tooth system 40 which engages in acorresponding gear tooth system 42 of a hollow-shaft segment 44. A firstthread-reinforced joint device 46 is provided between the first flange36 and the second flange 38. According to this embodiment, thethread-reinforced joint device 46 is embodied in the form of an elasticflexible disk. The hollow-shaft segment 44 extends through an aperture48 of the first flange 36 in the direction of the rail vehicle wheel 12.On the hollow-shaft segment 44, there is a third flange 50 on which asecond thread-reinforced joint device 52 is arranged. Thethread-reinforced joint device 52 is screwed to the third flange 50 bymeans of screws 54. The second thread-reinforced joint device 52 is alsoembodied as an elastic flexible disk. The second thread-reinforced jointdevice 52 is connected to the rail vehicle wheel 12 and drives saidwheel.

The rail vehicle wheel 12 comprises a tire 12 a and a hub 12 b with anaperture 12 c for receiving the axle 28. An elastic rubber track 12 d isprovided between the hub 12 b and the tire 12 a.

The torque is transmitted from the motor 14 to the gear unit 16. Thetorque is transmitted from the gear unit 16 via the hollow-shaft segment30 to the first flange 36. The torque is forwarded from the first flange36 via the first thread-reinforced joint device 46 to the second flange38 and hence to the hollow-shaft segment 44. The hollow-shaft segment 44transmits the torque to the third flange 50, which is connected to thesecond thread-reinforced joint device 52. The second thread-reinforcedjoint device 52 transmits the torque to the wheel 12 and hence drivessaid wheel.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the coupling device 18.

The first flange 36 comprises the gear tooth system 34, which, as shownin FIG. 3, serves for connection to the gear unit 16 or the hollow-shaftsegment 30 (not shown) of the gear unit 16. The first flange 36 isconnected to the second flange 38 by the first thread-reinforced jointdevice or flexible disk 46. The flange 36 and 38 can be screwed to theflexible disk 46. The second flange 38 is connected to the hollow-shaftsegment 44. The hollow-shaft segment 44 extends through the aperture 48of the first flange 36 in the direction of the second thread-reinforcedjoint device 52 or the elastic flexible disk 52. The hollow-shaftsegment 44 comprises a third flange 50, which is connected to theelastic joint device 52 by means of screws 54.

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the coupling device 18.

The thread-reinforced joint device or the flexible disk 46 is providedbetween the first flange 36 and the second flange 38. Thethread-reinforced joint device 46 comprises thread packets 56 and 58 ofwhich in each case two strands 56 a, 56 b and 58 a, 58 b areidentifiable in FIG. 5. The thread packets 56 and 58 are embedded in anelastomeric sheathing 60. The first thread-reinforced joint device 46 isused to transmit torque from the first flange 36 to the second flange38.

The second flange 38 comprises an aperture 62. Embodied on the axialsurface of the second flange 38 facing the hollow-shaft segment 44 isthe gear tooth system 40 which engages in a corresponding gear toothsystem 42 of the hollow-shaft segment 44. The third flange 50, which isconnected to the second thread-reinforced joint device or the secondflexible disk 52, is provided on the hollow-shaft segment 44. Thethread-reinforced joint device 52 is connected to the third flange 50 bymeans of screws 54. To this end, the second thread-reinforced jointdevice 52 comprises coupling elements 64 by means of which thethread-reinforced joint device 52 can be connected to the third flange50 in a torque-transmitting manner by means of the screws 54.

The second thread-reinforced joint device 52 also comprises threadpackets 54 and 56 which are embedded in an elastic sheathing 60.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a thread-reinforced joint device 46,52 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52 according to the firstembodiment can be used as the first and second elastic joint device 46,52 in the coupling device 18. The elastic joint device 46, 52 comprisesthe elastic sheathing 60 in which the coupling elements 64 are embeddedat least partially.

The flexible disk 46, 52 is embodied in two rows, i.e. the elastic jointdevice 46, 52 comprises two groups of coupling elements 64 a and 64 barranged offset with respect to one another in the radial directionaround the circumference of the elastic joint device 46, 52. Each ofcoupling elements 64 a and 64 b is used to couple the thread-reinforcedjoint devices 46, 52 to one of the flanges 36, 38, 50 or the railvehicle wheel 12.

FIG. 7 shows a further perspective view of the thread-reinforced jointdevice 46, 52. The thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52 comprises afirst group of coupling elements 64 a and a second group of couplingelements 64 b. The coupling elements 64 a are arranged on a first radiusand the coupling elements 64 b are arranged on a second radius.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of the elastic joint device 46, 52 with thecoupling elements 64 a of the first group and the coupling elements 64 bof the second group. The coupling elements 64 a all lie on a firstradius R1 about the center axis M of the elastic joint device 46, 52.The coupling elements 64 b in turn all lie on a second radius R2 aboutthe center axis M. The bushing-shaped coupling elements 64 a and 64 bare consequently arranged offset with respect to one another in theradial direction by the distance R2-R1. The coupling elements 64 a and64 b are in alignment in the radial direction. In the circumferentialdirection, the coupling elements 64 a and 64 b are provided alternatelywith two types of shoulder elements 66, 68. The coupling elements 64 aand 64 b are partly provided with disk-shaped shoulder elements 66 whileanother part of the coupling elements 64 a and 64 b is provided withcollar-shaped shoulder elements 68. The coupling elements 64 a, 64 bwith the disk-shaped shoulder elements 66 and the coupling elements 64a, 64 b with the collar-shaped shoulder elements 68 are arranged offsetwith respect to one another by 30° in the circumferential direction. Thecenter axes MK₁ of the coupling elements 64 a of the first group arearranged on the first radius R1 and the center axes MK₂ of the couplingelements 64 b of the second group are arranged on the second radius R2.

FIG. 9 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection IX-IX inFIG. 8.

FIG. 9 identifies the coupling elements 64 a and 64 b which areencircled by the thread packets 56 and 58. The thread packets 56 and 58are axially secured in the direction of the center axis M on their leftside with disk-shaped shoulder elements 66 and in the direction of thecenter axis M on the right side of the joint device 46, 52 with shoulderelements 68 with an L-shaped cross section. The radial ends of thedisk-shaped shoulder elements 66 are partially surrounded by the elasticsheathing 58.

A further shoulder element 70 is provided between the thread packets 56or 58, wherein said shoulder element separates the thread-packet pairs56 and 58 from one another. The axial ends of the coupling elements 64 aand 64 b, which are provided with the disk-shaped shoulder elements 66,serve as a point of application or contact point for the screw heads ofthe screws 54 (see FIG. 5).

FIG. 10 shows a front view of the thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52.The top view in FIG. 10 to a large extent corresponds to the top view ofthe thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52 in FIG. 8. Only the line ofintersection XI-XI in FIG. 10 has a different course than the line ofintersection IX-IX in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XI-XI inFIG. 10.

FIG. 11 identifies the thread packets 56 which encircle the couplingelements 64 a of the first group. The thread packets 58 encircle thecoupling elements 64 b of the second group. The thread packets 58, whichform a second group of thread packets, extend offset with respect to oneanother in the region between the coupling elements 64 a and 64 b in thedirection of the center axis M of the thread-reinforced joint device 64,52. Consequently, the thread packets 56 and the thread packets 58 arenot only radially offset with respect to one another but are also offsetin the direction of the center axis M. This can also be identified fromthe indentations V in the elastic body 60. The indentations V each liein the region between the coupling elements 64 a and 64 b. The depth ofthe indentations V in the elastic body 60 substantially corresponds tothe extension of the thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52 in thedirection of the center axis M minus the cross section of a threadpacket 56, 58 and the necessary sheathing of the thread packet by theelastic body 60.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the basic body of the elastic jointdevice 46, 52. Accordingly, the subsequent figures show the basic bodyof the elastic joint devices without the elastic sheathing 60.

FIG. 12 identifies the clip-shaped thread packets 56 and 58 in each caseencircling a coupling element 64 a, 64 b in pairs. In thecircumferential direction the coupling elements 64 a and 64 b areprovided alternately with the disk-shaped shoulder elements 66 and theshoulder elements 68 with an L-shaped cross section. In addition, one ofthe axial ends of each of the coupling elements 64 a and 64 b isprovided with the disk-shaped shoulder elements 66 and in each case theother axial end with a shoulder element 68 with an L-shaped crosssection. The coupling elements 64 a of the first group are eachencircled in pairs by the thread packets 56 which are alternatelysubjected to tensile and compressive stress. The thread packets 56 canbe assigned to a first group. Together with the coupling elements 64 aof the first group, the thread packets 56 of the first group form afirst torque transmission chain. The coupling elements 64 b of thesecond group are each encircled in pairs by the thread packets 58,wherein in each case one of the thread packets 58 is subjected totensile stress and the other to compressive stress. The thread packets58 are to be assigned to a second group and, together with the couplingelements 64 b, form a second torque transmission chain.

In other words, the thread packets 56 are arranged in a ring shape andcoupled to one another in a torque-transmitting manner by the couplingelements 64 a. The same applies to the thread packets 58, which arearranged in a ring shape and coupled in a torque transmitting manner bythe coupling elements 64 b.

Moreover, it is identifiable in FIG. 12 that the thread packets 56 and58 each extends offset with respect to one another in the axialdirection and encircles the coupling elements 64 a and 64 b assignedthereto.

FIG. 13 shows a front view of the basic body of the elastic joint device46, 52.

The thread packets 56 lie radially inside the thread packets 58, i.e.the ring formed by the thread packets 58 encircles the ring formed bythe thread packets 56. In the circumferential direction, the threadpackets 56 and 58 are secured alternately on each axial side of theelastic joint body 46, 52 once with disk-shaped shoulder elements 66 andonce with collar elements 68 with an L-shaped cross section to thecoupling elements 64 a and 64 b in the axial direction.

FIG. 14 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XIV-XIV inFIG. 13.

FIG. 14 in turn identifies coupling elements 64 a and 64 b encircled bytwo thread packets 56 or 58. The axial ends of the coupling elements 64a and 64 b are provided alternately with disc-shaped shoulder elements66 and collar elements 68 with an L-shaped cross section.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view extensively corresponding to the viewin FIG. 1. The gear unit 16 and the coupling devices 18 are received inhousings 72. Elements (not shown) for holding or mounting the couplingdevices 18 can be provided or embodied in the housings 72. The housings72 span the region between the motor 14 and the wheel 12. The shape ofthe housings 72 is selected such that the housing 72 or its inside walls(not shown) have the shortest possible distance to the gear unit 16 andthe coupling device 18.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a thread-reinforced joint device 46,52 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

The thread-reinforced joint device 46 according to this embodimentcomprises coupling elements 74, which are at least partially embedded inan elastic body 60.

The coupling elements 74 have a screw head 76 at their axial ends.According to this embodiment, the screw head 76 is embodied in the formof a hexagon. A shoulder element 68 is provided at the axial end of thecoupling elements 74 opposite to the screw head 76. In thecircumferential direction of the thread-reinforced joint device 46, itis in each case possible to identify alternately the screw head 76 andthe axial end of the coupling element 74 with the shoulder element 68opposite to the screw head 76.

FIG. 17 shows a top view of the thread-reinforced joint device 46.

FIG. 17 shows the coupling elements 74 with their screw head 76. As isclearly identifiable in FIG. 17, the screw head 76 is a hexagon.

FIG. 18 shows a sectional view along the line of intersectionXVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17.

In addition to the screw head 76, the coupling elements 74 also have ashoulder segment 78 acting as a shoulder element. The shoulder segment78 is used to secure the thread packets 56 a, 56 b and 58 axially on thecoupling element 74. To this end, the shoulder segment 78 interacts withthe shoulder element 68. The shoulder element 68 is provided on theaxial end of the coupling element 74 opposite the shoulder segment 78.The shoulder segment 78 and the shoulder element 68 hold the threadpackets 56 a, 56 b and 58 in their predetermined position on thecoupling element 74. The screw head 76 and the shoulder segment 78 areembodied in one piece with the coupling element 76.

The coupling elements 74 have a through opening O. The inside of theaperture O is provided with a screw-thread in which the mounting screws(not shown) can be screwed in order to mount the thread-reinforced jointdevice 46, 52 on a flange.

During the operation of the thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52, thethread packets 56 a and 56 b are to a large extent subjected tocompressive stress. During the operation of the thread-reinforced jointdevice 46, the thread packet 58 with a larger cross section is mainlysubjected to tensile forces.

FIG. 19 shows a coupling device 200 with the thread-reinforced jointdevice 46 according to the second embodiment.

The coupling device 200 comprises a first flange 282 and a second flange284 connected to one another by the thread-reinforced joint device 46.

The first flange 282 comprises flange arms 282 a to 282 e. The secondflange 284 comprises flange arms 284 a to 284 c. The flange arms 282 ato 282 e of the first flange 282 are connected to the thread-reinforcedjoint device 46 by means of screws 286. Similarly, the flange arms 284 ato 284 c of the second flange 284 are screwed to the thread-reinforcedjoint device 46 by means of screws 288. Here, the screws 286 and 288 arescrewed into the coupling elements 74 with the screw-thread 80 (FIG.18). Here, the screw head 76 is used to counterhold the coupling element74 while the screws 286, 288 are screwed in. While the screws 86 and 88are being screwed into the thread-reinforced joint device 46, thecoupling element 74 is counterheld by means of a screw head 76 with theaid of a wrench so that no torque is transmitted to thethread-reinforced joint device 46.

FIG. 20 shows a top view of the coupling device 200 in which the firstflange 282 with its flange arms 282 a to 282 f can be identified. Theflange arms 282 a to 282 f are connected to the thread-reinforced jointdevice 46 by the screws 286, i.e. the screws 286 were screwed into thecoupling element 74 with its screw-thread 80. The same applies to thescrews 288.

FIG. 21 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XXI-XXI inFIG. 20.

The screws 286 and 288 were screwed into the aperture O of the couplingelement 74 with the screw-thread 80. It is further identifiable in FIG.21 that the shoulder segment 78 is provided on the axial end of thecoupling element 74 on which the screw head 76 is also located. Whilethe screws 286 and 288 are being screwed in, the coupling elements 74are held by means of the screw head 76 thus avoiding torque transmissionto the coupling elements 74. This should in particular avoid torquetransmission to the thread packets 56 a, 56 b and 58 and the elasticbody 60. The screws 286 and 288 with their screw heads are located onthe side of the flanges 282 and 284 facing away from thethread-reinforced joint device 46.

FIG. 22 shows a coupling device 300 extensively corresponding to thecoupling device 200 described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21.

The actual differences between this embodiment and the above describedembodiment consist in the elastic joint device 46, which, according tothis embodiment, comprises a plurality of coupling elements 90 a and 90b with elastic bodies 60. The coupling elements 90 a and 90 b are eachscrewed to the flanges 382 and 384 or their flange arms 382 a to 382 eand 384 a to 384 c by a screw 386, 388. To this end, the couplingelements 74 with a screw head 76 are provided on the coupling elements90 a and 90 b. As in the above-described embodiment, the screw head 76in the form of a hexagon is used to counterhold the coupling elements 74while the screws 386 and 388 are screwed into the coupling elements 74so that no torque is transmitted to the coupling elements 90 a and 90 b.

FIG. 23 shows a top view of the coupling device 300 in which the firstflange 384 with the screws 386 can be identified. The screws 386 arescrewed to the coupling elements 74 of the thread-reinforced jointdevice 46. The same applies to the screws 388.

FIG. 24 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XXIV-XXIVin FIG. 23.

In FIG. 24, it is possible to identify the coupling elements 90 a and 90b which together form the thread-reinforced joint device 46. Thecoupling elements 90 a and 90 b each have an elastic body 60. A threadpacket 56 with shoulder elements 68 is embedded in the elastic body 60each coupling element 90 a and 90 b. The shoulder elements 68 are usedto secure the thread packet 56 to a bushing 92. The shoulder elements 68have an L-shaped cross section and their tube segment lies on thebushing 92. The shoulder elements 68 can be pressed onto the bushing 92.

Each coupling element 74 connects two coupling elements 90 a and 90 b toone another. Accordingly, each coupling element 74 connects two bushings92 of the coupling elements 90 a and 90 b. The coupling elements 74 inturn have a central aperture O in which a screw-thread 80 is provided.The screws 86 and 88 can be screwed into the screw-thread 80 of thecoupling elements 74. This enables the thread-reinforced joint device 46to be connected to the flanges 382 and 384.

FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of a thread-reinforced joint deviceaccording to a third embodiment of the invention.

The thread-reinforced joint device 46 comprises an elastic body 60 inwhich the coupling elements 64 and the shoulder elements 68 on thecoupling elements 64 are at least partially embedded.

FIG. 26 shows a top view of the thread-reinforced joint device 46.

The coupling elements 64 can be subdivided into a first group ofcoupling elements 64 a and a second group of coupling elements 64 b. Thefirst group of coupling elements 64 a is arranged with its center axesMK₁ on a first radius R1. The second group of the coupling elements 64 bwith its center axes MK₂ is arranged on a second radius R2. Hence, thecoupling elements 64 a of the first group and the coupling elements 64 bof the second group are offset with respect to one another by the amountR2-R1 in the radial direction. The coupling elements 64 a and thecoupling elements 64 b are arranged alternately in the circumferentialdirection of the thread-reinforced joint device 46. The couplingelements 64 a of the first group and the coupling elements 64 b of thesecond group are each coupled to one another by a thread packet (FIG.27). This offset in the radial direction of the coupling elements 64 aand 64 b, causes the thread packets 56 a, 56 b and 58 (FIG. 27) toextend obliquely between the coupling elements 64 a and 64 b to beconnected. As a result, during the operation of the thread-reinforcedjoint device 46, the thread packets 56 a, 56 b and 58 have a tangentialalignment. The tangential alignment of the thread packets 56 a, 56 b and58 enables a characteristic curve with a soft zero passage. Moreover,the arrangement of the coupling elements 64 a on the radius R1 and thecoupling elements 64 b ob the radius R2 enables greater radialdeflection. In this case, the deflection is permitted in the magnitudeof the value R2-R1. Accordingly, the radial deflection is within therange of the difference between the radius R2 and the radius R1.

FIG. 27 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XXVI-XXVIin FIG. 26.

The coupling elements 64 a and 64 b are encircled by thread packets 56a, 56 b and 58. The thread packets 56 a, 56 b and 58 are held on thecoupling elements 64 a, 64 b by means of the shoulder elements 68. Theshoulder elements 68 have an L-shaped cross section and have a tubesegment lying on the coupling elements 64 a and 64 b and a segmentextending in the radial direction. The encircling packets 56 a and 56 blie on the segment of the shoulder elements 68 extending in the radialdirection.

All the above-described embodiments of the thread-reinforced jointdevices 46, 52 can be used in a coupling device 18 according to FIGS. 1to 6. The individual aspects of the above-described embodiments ofthread-reinforced joint devices 46, 52 can also be provided together inone single thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A thread-reinforced joint device for acoupling device of a vehicle drive, comprising: a plurality of couplingelements configured to allow the thread-reinforced joint device to beadapted to different mounting interfaces of a coupling device; at leastone thread packet configured to couple adjacent ones of the couplingelements for transmission; a support device arranged on at least one ofthe adjacent coupling elements and configured to axially guide the atleast one thread packet; and at least one elastic body having at leastpartially embedded therein the at least one thread packet and theadjacent coupling elements, wherein a first group of the couplingelements is arranged on a first radius and a second group of thecoupling elements is arranged on a second radius, said first and secondradii differing from one another.
 2. The thread-reinforced joint deviceof claim 1, wherein the vehicle drive is part of a low-platform vehicle.3. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 1, wherein the at leastone of the adjacent coupling elements includes a screw thread.
 4. Thethread-reinforced joint device of claim 1, wherein at least one of theadjacent coupling elements includes a segment with a predetermined screwhead.
 5. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 1, wherein the atleast one of the adjacent coupling elements includes a segment to form ashoulder element.
 6. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 1,further comprising a bushing configured to receive the at least one ofthe adjacent coupling elements.
 7. The thread-reinforced joint device ofclaim 1, wherein the coupling elements of the first group and thecoupling elements of the second group are arranged alternately in acircumferential direction of the thread-reinforced joint device.
 8. Thethread-reinforced joint device of claim 1, wherein the coupling elementsof the first group and the coupling elements of the second group arearranged in alignment or offset with respect to one another in a radialdirection.
 9. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 1, wherein oneof the adjacent coupling elements is a member of the first group of thecoupling elements and the other one of the adjacent coupling elements isa member of the second group of the coupling elements.
 10. Thethread-reinforced joint device of claim 1, wherein the coupling elementsof the first group are connected to one another by a first group ofthread packets and the coupling elements of the second group areconnected to one another by a second group of thread packets.
 11. Thethread-reinforced joint device of claim 10, wherein the first and secondgroups of thread packets are clip-shaped.
 12. The thread-reinforcedjoint device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said elasticbody and a plurality of said thread packet, each of the elastic bodieshaving received therein a corresponding one of the thread packets. 13.The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 12, wherein the elasticbodies are coupled to one another by at least one of the couplingelements.
 14. A coupling device for a vehicle drive, comprising: a firstflange configured for coupling to a gear unit; a shaft segment extendingthrough the at least one first flange; a first thread-reinforced jointdevice comprising a plurality of coupling elements configured to allowthe thread-reinforced joint device to be adapted to different mountinginterfaces of a coupling device, at least one thread packet configuredto couple adjacent ones of the coupling elements for transmission, asupport device arranged on at least one of the adjacent couplingelements and configured to axially guide the at least one thread packet,and at least one elastic body having at least partially embedded thereinthe at least one thread packet and the adjacent coupling elements,wherein a first group of the coupling elements is arranged on a firstradius and a second group of the coupling elements is arranged on asecond radius, said first and second radii differing from one another; asecond flange coupled to the first flange by the first thread-reinforcedjoint device; a third flange configured for coupling to a wheel of thevehicle drive, said third flange being coupled to the second flange viathe shaft segment; and a second thread-reinforced joint device arrangedon the third flange.
 15. The coupling device of claim 14, wherein thevehicle drive is part of a low-platform vehicle.
 16. The coupling deviceof claim 14, wherein the shaft segment is a hollow-shaft segment. 17.The coupling device of claim 14, wherein the first flange includes anaperture, said shaft segment extending through the aperture of the firstflange.
 18. The coupling device of claim 14, wherein the shaft segmentincludes a gear tooth system engaging in a corresponding gear toothsystem on the second flange.
 19. The coupling device of claim 14,wherein the third flange is formed in one piece with the shaft segment.20. The coupling device of claim 14, wherein at least one memberselected from the group consisting of the first thread-reinforced jointdevice and the second thread-reinforced joint device is constructed toinclude a plurality of coupling elements configured to allow thethread-reinforced joint device to be adapted to different mountinginterfaces of a coupling device, at least one thread packet configuredto couple adjacent ones of the coupling elements for transmission, asupport device arranged on at least one of the adjacent couplingelements and configured to axially guide the at least one thread packet,and at least one elastic body having at least partially embedded thereinthe at least one thread packet and the adjacent coupling elements.
 21. Adrive arrangement for a vehicle, comprising: a gear unit operablyconnected to at least one vehicle wheel of the vehicle; a motor coupledto the gear unit; and a coupling device arranged between the gear unitand the at least one vehicle wheel, said coupling device including afirst flange configured for coupling to the gear unit, a shaft segmentextending through the at least one first flange, a firstthread-reinforced joint device, a second flange coupled to the firstflange by the first thread-reinforced joint device, a third flangeconfigured for coupling to a wheel of the vehicle drive, said thirdflange being coupled to the second flange via the shaft segment, and asecond thread-reinforced joint device arranged on the third flange,wherein at least one of the first and second thread-reinforced jointdevices includes a plurality of coupling elements configured to allowthe thread-reinforced joint device to be adapted to different mountinginterfaces of a coupling device, at least one thread packet configuredto couple adjacent ones of the coupling elements for transmission, asupport device arranged on at least one of the adjacent couplingelements and configured to axially guide the at least one thread packet,and at least one elastic body having at least partially embedded thereinthe at least one thread packet and the adjacent coupling elements,wherein a first group of the coupling elements is arranged on a firstradius and a second group of the coupling elements is arranged on asecond radius, said first and second radii differing from one another.22. The drive arrangement of claim 21, wherein the vehicle is part of alow-platform vehicle.
 23. The drive arrangement of claim 21, wherein thesecond thread-reinforced joint device of the coupling device is coupledto the at least one vehicle wheel.
 24. The drive arrangement of claim21, wherein the gear unit includes a shaft segment, said first flange ofthe coupling device including a gear tooth system for coupling with agear tooth system of the shaft segment of the gear unit.
 25. Alow-platform vehicle, comprising a drive arrangement, said drivearrangement including a gear unit operably connected to at least onevehicle wheel of the vehicle, a motor coupled to the gear unit, and acoupling device arranged between the gear unit and the at least onevehicle wheel, said coupling device including a first flange configuredfor coupling to the gear unit, a shaft segment extending through the atleast one first flange, a first thread-reinforced joint device, a secondflange coupled to the first flange by the first thread-reinforced jointdevice, a third flange configured for coupling to a wheel of the vehicledrive, said third flange being coupled to the second flange via theshaft segment, and a second thread-reinforced joint device arranged onthe third flange, wherein at least one of the first and secondthread-reinforced joint devices includes a plurality of couplingelements configured to allow the thread-reinforced joint device to beadapted to different mounting interfaces of a coupling device, at leastone thread packet configured to couple adjacent ones of the couplingelements for transmission, a support device arranged on at least one ofthe adjacent coupling elements and configured to axially guide the atleast one thread packet, and at least one elastic body having at leastpartially embedded therein the at least one thread packet and theadjacent coupling elements, wherein a first group of the couplingelements is arranged on a first radius and a second group of thecoupling elements is arranged on a second radius, said first and secondradii differing from one another.